Obama defends right to Nato expansion

WASHINGTON :US President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that he wanted to 'reset' US relations with Russia but argued Nato should still be open to countries which aspire to join the alliance.

"My administration is seeking a reset of the relationship with Russia," Obama said after an Oval Office meeting with Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

But Obama said reinvigorated ties with Moscow must be "consistent with Nato membership and consistent with the need to send a clear signal throughout Europe that we are going to continue to abide by the central belief ... that countries who seek and aspire to join Nato are able to join Nato."

Russia's anger over Nato's eastward expansion near its border has been a frequent irritant in relations between the White House and the Kremlin.

Obama's comments came a week before he is set to hold his first meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the Group of 20 economic summit in London.

The US president will also next week make his debut visit to the Nato summit, on the border of France and Germany.

Scheffer attempted to downplay the alliance's differences with Russia.

"We have many things on which we disagree, but Nato needs Russia and Russia needs Nato, so that's one of the things we agree on."

"Let's not hide our disagreements, and let us realize that also this relationship can and might be, should be strengthened."

"As President Obama said a moment ago, Nato's door will stay open for new members if they perform, if they fulfill the criteria."

Under the previous administration of former president George W. Bush, the United States was a strong backer of Georgia's efforts to join Nato, as well as the candidature of Ukraine.

Tensions over the issue flared particularly following Russia's war with Georgia last year.

Obama said the 60th anniversary of the western alliance was "testimony to the effectiveness of Nato in creating stability and peace and prosperity, laying the groundwork for so much that has taken place over the last several years."